AC Ajaccio vs Reims prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-01-10 18:00.
A narrow 2-1 victory over fourth-tier Jura Sud saw AC Ajaccio advance to the Coupe De France round of 32, although matters of Ligue 1 survival will swiftly return to the fore. Just two points separate Olivier Pantaloni’s men from Ligue 1’s extended drop zone, but a continuation of some solid competitive form posted before the winter break (W3, D1, L1) should raise hopes they can extend their top-flight stay beyond one season.
After posting a winless six-game start to their home league campaign (D1, L5), Ajaccio have bounced back in style with back-to-back victories at the Stade François Coty against Ligue 1’s bottom two clubs. The improvement here is perhaps best illustrated by Ajaccio’s goalscoring, with the five goals scored across their last two home games representing 71% of their 2022/23 total.
Standing in Ajaccio’s way of a third straight top-flight home win for the first time since 2005 are Reims, a side yet to be beaten under Ligue 1’s youngest manager William Still (W3, D4). Entering football management as a 30 year-old hasn’t stopped the trailblazing Belgian from etching his name in club history as the man with the longest unbeaten run to begin a Reims tenure.
That current unbeaten streak represents a remarkable turnaround for Reims, who found themselves in the relegation zone prior to Still’s appointment. Even still, Reims sit closer to the relegation zone than the European places, and if they are to make a push for the top-half the visitors must strive to end their current club-record run of five consecutive away stalemates in Ligue 1, which make up part of a frustrating travelling record this term (W1, D6, L2).
Players to watch: Ajaccio rested Youcef Belaïli for their cup game and perhaps for good reason given he’s had a hand in six of their last seven league goals (G4, A2). Formerly of Ajaccio, Reims forward Alexis Flips has made three goal contributions across his last two appearances (G2, A1) and could belatedly score his first goal at the Stade François Coty here.
Hot stat: Both teams have scored in just one of Olivier Pantaloni’s six personal managerial H2Hs with Reims.